FTC sues Dish Network for telemarketing calls

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing Dish Network Corp. for violating telemarketing regulations, claiming that the company made millions of calls to customers who had asked not to be contacted.

In a complaint filed Wednesday, the agency accused Dish of violating the 1995 Telemarketing Sales Rule, which prohibits companies from making outbound phone calls to any person who has already stated that he does not want to receive such calls. The FTC is seeking injunctive relief and monetary penalties for each violation.

“It is particularly disappointing when a well-established, nationally known company—which ought to know better—appears to have flagrantly and illegally made millions of invasive calls to Americans who specifically told Dish Network to leave them alone,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said in a statement.

In its own statement, Dish disputed the charges, noting that a “third-party industry expert” had certified its calling practices. The television provider is also facing a similar lawsuit from the Department of Justice for allegedly illegally contacting people on the “Do Not Call” list and making automated “robocalls.”